Amalia's Final (pretty awesome) MS Volleyball Chapter

 

To say that Amalia finished her middle school volleyball career on a high would be an understatement. The team went 11-0 and lost only one set the entire season. But beyond that, Amalia grew as a leader on the team and, perhaps more impressive, was that little thing called confidence and maturity. She seemed completely under control even in the most difficult of moments. She dove to play a play and then got right up ready for the next one. If she, or anyone else, made a mistake she'd be the first one to support and brush it off, focusing on the next play. In so many ways her no-nonsense approach was a stark contrast to her personality (so bubbly and exuberant). But there she was, doing her thing, being the leader that the team needed her to be. 

Together with her teammates they made such a strong team. Without the "superstars" who defined the team in years past this team was all about working together, dealing with difficulty together, celebrating together. Together. Literally every girl on the team had an important role in the wellbeing of the whole and Amalia was a backbone on the court and an avid supporter of her teammates when off the court (as a parent hopes their child will be). 

After the season ended, and celebrations were done, the parents challenged the players to one final game of teh season. The parents, of course, were a total hodge podge of experiences but the girls really shone why they had done so well. There were moments when the parents thought it would be easy when suddenly, out of the blue, a girl would fly and get a ball seemingly destined for the floor. Again, there were no superstars but they kept at it, solid and together, and handily beat the rowdy parent crowd. Daddy, who played opposite of his girl on that day, realizing just how good this team is. And happily, as he thinks ahead to next year, he realizes that this team will do its part for many years to come. No frills, but moving forward. 

And then, when the season was aaaaaaall over, Amalia grabs a ball and sports a new jump serve. Out of the blue. She gets eight out of ten over. Daddy is floored. Her coach, Mr. Cook (who loves her, by the way) asks "where did you get that from". Amalia answers, "Oh, Sophie showed me how to do it yesterday". There is lots to look forward to with this girl. And, of course, we love you sooooo much!

Sisters

 

When the girls were young(er) daddy used to worry about how well they'd get along. Would they be there for each other?  Would they stand up for each other? Would they tell each other secrets?  Would they rely on each other for support when things get tough? Would they enjoy each other's company?  Would they be each other's best friend?  

Well, perhaps the verdict is in. There is no need to worry (too much) any more. Perhaps they aren't the type of sisters that are inseprable but they sure do support each other and hold each other up. They go to each other's games, and watch each other's events. They chat into the night about this and that and the other thing. They run their ideas by each other. And they do, in fact, seem to appreciate what the other brings to their life. 

The parents, too, are so happy to watch them grow together, to learn together, sometimes to play on the same teams, and to do what sisters do... sometimes complain or be short; sometimes celebrate; sometimes help each other with the homework; and always appreciate the persons they have become. It's pretty amazing to watch their growth unfold before our very eyes. And we gotta love amazing!

Jumping Off the Rocks

 

South of Sorento it's hard to get lost among the green and lose your way beyond that one little bay you're looking for. In our case we drove south looking for a place we had seen the day before from the boat. From that vantage point it looked like a great place... just high enough on the rocks to make is difficult to get to but accessible enough that we could jump in if we'd want. And so it was that we made our way to Bagni Regina Giovanna. 

Parking was a nightmare but when daddy dropped off the girls to make their way into the trail to the ancient Roman villa ruins (the view would have been, and still is, absolutely amazing!) he needed over 35 minutes to find a parking space that was within walking distance. Still, after some looking around, he found the girls happy as can be, sitting on the rocks overlooking the sea below and Sorento to the right in the distance. There were spots to jump - some higher than others - and the girls decided to give it a shot. Irini took a shorter outcrop to jump in and Amalia followed. But later Amalia decided she needed to challenge herself a bit more, and so she did. 

We must have stayed a couple hours and it was just what the doctor needed. Just a low frills opportunity to be in nature, and in water. As we left the smiles were pretty broad and, still in bathing suits, we made our way to a hotel with a view just down from where we were staying. As luck would have it we'd have a delightfully traditional Italian dinner overlooking the sunset (with the addition of a couple of family celebrations for children coming of age - why not?) 

Amalfi Coast

 

So there we were. Amalfi Coast. We opted to avoid road transport and, instead, got a round-trip ticket on a boat to Amalfi and Positano before returning to Sorento where our car awaited for the trek back up our mountain. 

It was early June but that didn't stop the tourist trade from going strong. The place was beautiful but we found it packed with people, like us, roaming between streets trying to find that perfect spot to get a drink (it was pretty hot too) or a meal. We found ourselves somewhere between the masses and the side alleys (much quieter) and doing our best to keep up with the boat schedules. From time to time we'd find a glimpse of 'normal' life and watch for a bit. Perhaps it was a chat between friends or, as in the last piture here, an elderly man looking out his window to the crowds below. What might he be thinking?

We liked Postinano much more for its ambiance though it was even more packed than Amalfi. The crowds filled the small alleys and walk ways and as we made our way across a narrow beachfront, thankfully, we found a table to sit at with a view to the beautiful, but overpriced beach, lined with umbrellas across the expanse of sand. We sat and chatted and ate and made our plans to keep moving, upward. As we made our way through the town it became apparent that it is quite steep which, in some ways, was a good thing... up, up and away from the big crowds and into a more calm (though still very touristy) area with a wonderful view below. Here we stopped for while to take it all in. 

Our return, by boat, brought us back to Sorento, a majestic city sitting on cliffs below. We had enjoed the beach there the day before but on this day we'd make our way back up to the room.  Tomorrow we'd love for a place to jump in the sea, perhaps with fewer people (is that possible?). Still, what a beautiful part of the world!

Verano Italiano

 

One always has to love summer, right?  In our case, this year, we headed to Italy. Mommy had a course to take in Rome for five days so we decided it might be a good chance to head over there straight from Dubai and make our way down the coast toward the Amalfi Coast. The Coast had been identified by Amalia as a 'go to' destination for the summer so we used the time we had between the end-of-school and beginning of mommy's class to roam just south of Naples. We found our way to a small Airbnb up the slopes of a hill/mountain village just outside Sorento and got used to having Waze force us into inhospitable little-and-shrinking streets that would barely fit a Vespa. But up and down the hills we went and finally worked our way around the place. 

Our spot was a cute one even if it seemed like a vertical climb from the parking lot at the foot of the hill. It didn't seem to get in the way of the girls, though, who without effort made their way back and forth between car and room (with a nice view over the Gulf of Naples). 

Between runs to town and down time in our spot we were able to unwind from the run-run-run that one feels sometimes with work. The year had been a long one, but it was finally time to re-connect with a world that had nothing to do with deadlines. Aaaahhhh, Italia!